Skate Strong: Alumni hockey game for tornado relief

Tuesday

Jan 14, 2014 at 9:45 PM

Skate Strong is an alumni hockey game between former Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues to raise funds to assist victims from the Nov. 17 EF-4 tornado that swept through central Illinois and devastated Washington and surrounding communities.

Dave Eminian Journal Star sports reporter @icetimecleve

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m., Carver Arena

Skate Strong is an alumni hockey game between former Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues to raise funds to assist victims from the Nov. 17 EF-4 tornado that swept through central Illinois and devastated Washington and surrounding communities.

A minimum $10 donation at the door is requested for admission, and all proceeds will be distributed by the Salvation Army Tornado Relief Fund. The Blues and Blackhawks alumni will play two 30-minute periods, with an intermission. The players will begin warmups at 6:40 p.m.

"Old guys like us only need about 10 minutes to get ready," ex-Blackhawks and Blues winger and Rivermen Hall of Famer Denis Cyr said. "More than that is probably dangerous."

After the Salvation Army Band performs the national anthem, a ceremonial puck drop will include Peoria mayor Jim Ardis, Washington mayor Gary Manier, Pekin mayor Laurie Barra, and East Peoria mayor Dave Mingus. Peoria resident Mike Rea, a linesmen in the old International Hockey League days, will serve as referee.

A three-minute video on the Washington tornado aftermath, produced by WEEK-TV, will be played on the Carver Arena videoboard.

Current Rivermen players, dressed in their jerseys, will man the arena doors to accept donations for the Salvation Army. After the game, all players will meet fans for autographs and pictures in the Lexus Club, above the main lobby in the Civic Center.

Memorable moments in the Blackhawks-Blues rivalry

1. "Belllfourrrrr, Belllfourrrrr ..."

The Blues swept the Norris Division champ Blackhawks out of the playoffs on April 25, 1993 on a controversial overtime goal from Craig Janney, during which Chicago goaltender Ed Belfour claimed he was interfered with by Brett Hull. Belfour destroyed his stick, headed to the locker room, and caused thousands of dollars in damage there as well.

2. "The St. Patrick's Day Massacre"

The Blackhawks won this March 17, 1991 game between 1-2 finishers in race for the President's Cup. Jeremy Roenick's hard hit on Blues veteran Harold Snepsts sparked a brawl. Twelve players, six on each team, were ejected. The NHL suspended Blues defenseman Scott Stevens for two games, the Hawks' Mike Peluso and Blues' Kelly Chase 10 games each, and fined both teams $10,000.

3. April 30, 1990

Game 7 of the division series. Four of the first five were decided by overtime. But in the finale, the Blackhawks eliminated the Blues 8-2.

4. No guts, no glory

Chicago's Jeremy Roenick, in two separate incidents during a 1989 game, had several teeth knocked out by St. Louis' Glen Featherstone, plus 15 stitches to his nose, then scored the game-winning goal.

5. "One for the thumb"

Chicago's Grant Mulvey scored five goals and added two assists Feb. 3, 1982, setting a franchise record for most goals in a game. In the same game, he tied the record (shared with 11 others) for most goals in single period (four).

6. April 22, 1990

Blues winger Gino Cavallini notched the game-winner in Game 3 of the Norris Division Finals series over the Blackhawks.